Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (FNA) Tehran voiced preparedness to play a mediating role to assist New Delhi and Islamabad in resolving differences over a multibillion dollar pipeline which would take Iran’s gas to India via Pakistan.
The proposal was made during a five-day visit to India by Iran’s Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Davoud Danesh-Jafari, where he reiterated the need for Pakistan and India to resolve differences over transit fees.
“The Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) project will not only serve the interests of the involved countries, but it will also benefit all regional states,” Iran’s Press TV quoted Danesh-Jafari as saying in New Delhi.
The official called on New Delhi and Islamabad to quickly resolve their differences over transit fees Pakistan will charge India for the transfer of Iran’s natural gas through its soil.
“Some have been pressuring Iran to export its natural gas to Europe, but our priority is to sell to Pakistan and India,” Danesh-Jafari continued.
Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora is scheduled to visit Tehran next week to confer on the details of the trilateral pipeline deal.
Danesh-Jafari added that in case India agrees, Iran could invite Deora’s Pakistani counterpart to join the discussions in a bid to resolve the two nations’ differences over the $7.4bln project, also known as the ‘Peace Pipeline’.
